Taiwan's Invitation to Dalai Lama
Irks Beijing at a Sensitive Time

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Taiwan couldn't have picked a more sensitive time to irk China by inviting the Dalai Lama, whom Beijing reviles as a pawn of the West.

China is already angry about Taiwan's attempt to purchase U.S. destroyers with advanced antimissile radar. Vice Premier Qian Qichen last week lobbied Washington to block the potential sale, which will be decided next month.